Liquid Crystalline Lipid Nanoparticles: Emerging Trends and Applications in Skin Cancer

Liquid crystalline lipid nanoparticles (LCNPs) represent a type of membrane-based nano-carriers formed through the self-assembly of lyotropic lipids. These lipids, such as unsaturated monoglycerides, phospholipids, and co-lipids, create liquid crystals or vesicles with an aqueous core enclosed by a natural or synthetic phospholipid bilayer upon exposure to an aqueous medium. Liquid crystalline lipid nanoparticles (LCNPs), akin to liposomes, have garnered significant attention as nanocarriers suitable for a diverse range of hydrophobic and hydrophilic molecules. Their notable structural advantage lies in a mono-channel network organization and the presence of multiple compartments, resulting in heightened encapsulation efficiency for various substances. Cubosomes, spongosomes, hexosomes, and multicompartment nanoparticles are examples of lipid nanocarriers with interior liquid crystalline structures that have recently gained a lot of interest as effective drug delivery systems. Additionally, LCNPs facilitate the sustained release of encapsulated compounds, including therapeutic macromolecules. This review delves into the structure of liquid crystalline lipid nanoparticles, explores preparation techniques, and outlines their applications in the context of skin cancer.